World Entrepreneurs’ Day (Monday 21 August) celebrates the role of entrepreneurs in driving economic growth and job creation. For Backing Essex Business, it’s a chance to showcase the entrepreneurs they’ve helped and encourage more business owners to access support.
Entrepreneurs can access Backing Essex Business to receive:
- 12 hours of free and impartial advice
- expert guidance across a range of sectors
- 1-2-1 mentoring
- group workshops
- training and events
- access to funding opportunities
We have fully funded Backing Essex Business for the past three years. Delivered by Let’s Do Business Group, the service has already supported over 840 businesses in Essex.
Visit the Backing Essex Business website to discover support for your business and read some of their success stories below.
Lucy Can’t Dance
Lucy Roe is the owner of Lucy Can’t Dance, an alternative bridal wear company in Chelmsford. She sought support from Backing Essex Business to navigate the post-pandemic wedding industry.
“It was great to chat to an expert and offload. Backing Essex Business helped me go through my cash flow, understand monthly payments and help me prepare for energy price rises.
“They helped me to identify potential areas of savings and supported me to tie off any loose ends with debt. I now have a better understanding of my cashflow and what I need to take in each month.”
Hutch Logistics
Owned by Ben Toogood and Sait Cham, Hutch Logistics secured funding through the Recovery Loan Scheme. This helped the Chelmsford-based logistics company to move into new, fit-for-purpose premises.
Owner, Ben Toogood said: “Our growth was halted until we got more space. We’re thrilled to be in our much larger unit with great access to local ports!”
Sait Cham added: “We’re now on a position to take on more clients and create new jobs. We’re continuing to develop innovative techniques and change the logistics sector for the better.”
Transporter Engineering
Based in Gosfield, this vehicle solutions company was already making positive contributions to the local economy. Not only were they creating jobs, but they were also starting to use renewable energy and exporting excess energy to the local grid.
Barry Poulter, Managing Director, said: “After the Covid-19 pandemic, we were faced with unpredictable demand. We needed to refresh our strategy to better prepare for the future.
“I joined Backing Essex Business’ Group2Grow Peer Network Programme to learn from fellow businesspeople. I also benefitted from the expert support on offer, enabling me to get a fresh outlook on the business.
“The programme helped me to meet people facing similar problems and come to practical solutions. Being a business leader can be lonely, so it was great to be part of a network and run my ideas past others.”
